~dollsfall

1.) your age?
17 in three weeks.

2.) your type of body issue/illness?
(depression/ body image,cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
past issues with the previously stated things.

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
God, writing,
taking photographs, ceramics, theatre....any art is a treatment..
nothing really expensive.

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in
treating your illness?
eating hot sauce when i felt like cutting....
hehe. that was aweful.

5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how?
(books,movies, magazines, Barbie dolls, etc.) somewhat. don't we all envy
people who seem to have it all?

6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
it seems as though everyone really cares about each other.


7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group?

(connection with other sufferers, possible new treatments, help other
people through sharing experiences, etc.) connection, sharing love and
happiness, reshaping how we think about ourselves


8.) your country?
(for demographics purposes, to see if Americans have
more cases of illness as opposed to other countries.) the united states
of america

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like
to add about body image or illnesses?
i mostly did all of what i did
for some sense of control over myself... if i was angry, i would just
cut myself.. if i felt out of control, i wouldn't eat.. when the world
came crashing down, i would starve.... when i binged, i would vomit...
endless need to be in control and not let God be in control... it was
like i was trying to take life into my own hands.... i still feel like
i should be in control sometimes and not let life just happen, ya know?

10.) what would you like more information about, relating to
dysmorphics, depression, and body image?
( suggestions will be taken
into account and further study done on those subjects that our members
feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)
^_^ can't think of
anything.............



~pinkperry

1.) your age?
17

2.) your type of body issue/illness?
(depression/ body image, cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
I had depression but i'm feeling better since the end of last year.

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
i went to psychotherapy for a year


4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in treating your illness?
i think that going to therapy really helped me realize some things, it
was a long process and i had to make a lot of thinking, it was hard,
the therapist is not a miracle maker, but it's worth it.

5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how? (books, movies, magazines, Barbie dolls, etc.)
there are a lot of books, magazine articles and websites about
depression and it was throught them that i started to understand what
was happening to me.

6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
To try helping other people by listening, by saying a word of confort,
by comenting on there art and doing this i help myself too.


7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group?
(connection with other sufferers, possible new treatments, help other
people through sharing experiences, etc.)
I like to share experiences, it helps [for me at least] to know i'm not the only one with problems.


8.) your country? (for demographics purposes, to see if Americans have more cases of illness as opposed to other countries.).
I'm from Brazil.

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like to add about body image or illnesses?
I suffered from depression for 3 years, I barely wanted to get out of
bed, it was serious, althought i wasn't suicidal i didn't have the will
to live anymore, so i slept a lot. It was a very hard fase of my life,
but i don't feel angry that it happened because is a part of my life
and it made me who i am today, it made me think hard about somethings,
i found out that i am stronger that i thought i was. So whatever
problem you have try to learn from it, it makes it easyer to get over
it.

10.) what would you like more information about, relating to
dysmorphics, depression, and body image? ( suggestions will be taken
into account and further study done on those subjects that our members
feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)
I think all of the illness listed here at the comunity are very serious
and people should know more about it, but there is one isue that i
think is surrounded by many miths, the self-injurie. I had many doubts
about it even when i used to do it.


*restricted213


1.) your age?
15

2.) your type of body issue/illness? (depression/ body image,
cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
a type of anorexia, slowly getting over it.

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any? None

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in
treating your illness?
Just support from those I actually trust.

5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how? (books,
movies, magazines, Barbie dolls, etc.)
No, mostly my family. But media....magazines.

6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
Because I want to help others as much as recieve help.


7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group?
(connection with other sufferers, possible new treatments, help other
people through sharing experiences, etc.)
I want to connect with others (even tho most won't connect with a 15 year old by choice), learn as much as i can about various eating disorders.

8.) your country? (for demographics purposes, to see if Americans have
more cases of illness as opposed to other countries.)
Canadian

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like
to add about body image or illnesses?
Just that yes, it's common, but everyone has their story and reasons. We're not all just a statistic.
And I think this club is proof of that.

10.) what would you like more information about, relating to
dysmorphics, depression, and body image? ( suggestions will be taken
into account and further study done on those subjects that our members
feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)
Actually, I'm quite content with the info you've given already.


~CamAgony

1.) your age?
19

2.) your type of body issue/illness? (depression/ body image, cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
Was depressed a couple of months ago, cut myself, anorexia/bulemia

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
nothing

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in treating your illness? /

5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how? (books, movies, magazines, Barbie dolls, etc.)
Magazines... make me feel so fat... and i like to read books or watch films concerning people with psychological problems (girl, interrupted for example)

6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
curiosity i think...

7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group? (connection with other sufferers, possible new treatments, help other people through sharing experiences, etc.) /

8.) your country? (for demographics purposes, to see if Americans have more cases of illness as opposed to other countries.)
France

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like to add about body image or illnesses?
besides hate, i like my eyes

10.) what would you like more information about, relating to dysmorphics, depression, and body image? ( suggestions will be taken into account and further study done on those subjects that our members feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)
the main causes... i know it's different for everybody, but isn't there a "main" cause?



~Isaphil

1.) your age?
17

2.) your type of body issue/illness? (depression/ body image, cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
my bad body image, cutting myself

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
I went to a psyciatrist ( or how you write that) for a year. (3 years ago)

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in treating your illness?
Not much, someone who cares and can help me

5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how? (books, movies, magazines, Barbie dolls, etc.)
No

6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
Because these are important isseus, and people need to get help if they want to.

7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group? (connection with other sufferers, possible new treatments, help other people through sharing experiences, etc.)
I hope I can talk to people, tell them why I cut myself and why you shouldn't do it.

8.) your country? (for demographics purposes, to see if Americans have more cases of illness as opposed to other countries.)
Holland

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like to add about body image or illnesses?
don't listen to the media




*Idle-Tears

1.) your age?
19


2.) your type of body issue/illness? (depression/ body image, cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
depression, body image, cutting, compulsive eating, agoraphobia


3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
ACIS - a counselling and mental health services provider in my area.


4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in treating your illness?
st johns wort (a herb) helped for a while, and i'm about to go on a course of mugwort.


5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how? (books, movies, magazines, Barbie dolls, etc.)
no


6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
to find a group of people who know what i've been through and understand it.


7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group? (connection with other sufferers, possible new treatments, help other people through sharing experiences, etc.)
connection with other sufferers, counselling (both for and from me) sharing natural treatments (i'm a herbal freak, much to my doctors disgust)


8.) your country? (for demographics purposes, to see if Americans have more cases of illness as opposed to other countries.)
Australia


9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like to add about body image or illnesses?
body image should be about want you find comfortable and pretty, not what the media, or related says


10.) what would you like more information about, relating to dysmorphics, depression, and body image? ( suggestions will be taken into account and further study done on those subjects that our members feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)
some ideas on exercises; physical, and mental, and herbal treatments available (i can start looking that up if you like)



*smallsingularity


1.) your age?


17.5



2.) your type of body issue/illness?

I'm bulimianorexic (aka ED-NOS), bipolar and self injure.



3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?

Therapy, inpatient once.




4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in treating your illness?

Humanizing it. What doctors don't realize sometimes (not always) is
that you're a person, not a specimen or a subject to "try" their new
meds on. It is SO amazingly helpful when you find that *one* doctor,
that one person who looks through the layers and the labels and sees
YOU. You are a person. Even if you are forced into a hospital and
forced treatments that you don't want, you have rights. Never forget
that.



5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how? (books, movies, magazines, Barbie dolls, etc.)

Not immensly. Not for me. My illness is all internal, brought external
only when it becomes too much to bear. I don't really look outside
myself very much.



6.) why did you join dysmorphics?

I was interested that there was such a community on DA. I was
interested in meeting other people like me, and seeing the art that
came from people like me. The person that I have become shapes my art,
and I think that this is the case for many people.



7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group?
(connection with other sufferers, possible new treatments, help other
people through sharing experiences, etc.)


Definitely, I would like to share my experiences with others if they
would like to hear. I've started a website for those with ED's who
would like to find an inpatient place. Also, those who have been
inpatient may leave comments about their stay there. the link is here: [link] - feel free to leave your comments or browse! I worked for a long time to gather worldwide IP listings.



8.) your country?

US



9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like to add about body image or illnesses?

From my experiences, it's not your fault. It's never your fault. And
everyone deserves help- but only when you're ready. No one should be
forced into treatment, I've been through that and it's hell.



10.) what would you like more information about, relating to dysmorphics, depression, and body image?


It'd be neat if you'd list my website (the IP one), it's pretty useful for those looking for treatment.




~DarkObsession86


1.) your age?
.:18:.

2.) your type of body issue/illness? (depression/ body image, cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
.:depression.bodyimage.cutting.self-abuse.perhapsalittlebitofbulimiaandanorexia...alloftheabove?:.

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
.:none:.

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in treating your illness?
.:friends&familythatcare...attention...realizationsthatineedtobelovedformyselfn otmybody:.

5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how? (books, movies, magazines, Barbie dolls, etc.)
.:yes,itmakesmethingihavetobeFUCKINGSKINNY&BEAUTIFULor.i.am.nothing:.

6.) why did you join dysmorphics? .:selva-amarga...awonderful,lovelygirl...iwantedtobeinvolvedwithher,andshemakesmefeelbetteraboutmyselfsometi mes...soiknewtheclubwouldhaveagreatstart:.

7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group? (connection with other sufferers, possible new treatments, help other people through sharing experiences, etc.) .:shareemotionalart.learntobeokay.helpothers..:.

8.) your country? (for demographics purposes, to see if Americans have more cases of illness as opposed to other countries.)
.:U.S.:.

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like to add about body image or illnesses? .:whilebeingacompleteandutterhypocrite,letmesay...whatsimportantis.inside.notoutside.fucksociety.fuckstandards.fuckmoviesandmagazineads.beyourselfandbehappywithit..you'llnevergetanotherchance..unlessofcourse..weallhavereincarnationsafterthislife....:.

10.) what would you like more information about, relating to dysmorphics, depression, and body image? ( suggestions will be taken into account and further study done on those subjects that our members feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)
.:..howtobeokaywithyourself...?.:.




~AngelDelight

1.) your age?
-18

2.) your type of body issue/illness? (depression/ body image, cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
-Selfharm and Body Dysmorphic Disorder

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
-None.

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in treating your illness?
-Pinging an elastic band against my wrist instead of cutting...

5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how? (books, movies, magazines, Barbie dolls, etc.)
)yes, pretty much all of the above. There aren't enough realistic women in the media - they are all way above averagely beautiful and tall and flawless looking.

6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
-To feel safer in that I'm not the only one who feels this way.

7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group? (connection with other sufferers, possible new treatments, help other people through sharing experiences, etc.)
-Connection with other sufferers.

8.) your country? (for demographics purposes, to see if Americans have more cases of illness as opposed to other countries.)
-England in the UK.

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like to add about body image or illnesses?
/

10.) what would you like more information about, relating to dysmorphics, depression, and body image? ( suggestions will be taken into account and further study done on those subjects that our members feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)
-Perhaps more on BDD.




=coolweirdo


1.) your age?
-18

2.) your type of body issue/illness? (depression/ body image, cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
-Deprression/Cutting

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
-None...not thinking too much.

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in treating your illness?
-When I get depressed, which is why I used to cut myself, I would think too much. I try not to think so much and i write poetry. it's helped relieve stress.

5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how? (books, movies, magazines, Barbie dolls, etc.)
-Yes. Music can sometimes be very damaging.

6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
When I realized I wasn't the only one, I wanted to join. This way I may also see how others got over it, and I can share my experience.

7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group? (connection with other sufferers, possible new treatments, help other people through sharing experiences, etc.)
-Share experiences that may help.

8.) your country? (for demographics purposes, to see if Americans have more cases of illness as opposed to other countries.)
-USA

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like to add about body image or illnesses?
-A friend of mine tried to kill herself because of a body image problem and because of depression. That hurt me, and made me realize how horrible an illness it is.

10.) what would you like more information about, relating to dysmorphics, depression, and body image? ( suggestions will be taken into account and further study done on those subjects that our members feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)




=Jeans16

1.) your age?
21

2.) your type of body issue/illness? (depression/ body image, cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
Body Image/Compulsive Overeater

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
None

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in treating your illness?
Any more information, meeting others on dA with same problem/s.

5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how? (books, movies, magazines, Barbie dolls, etc.)
Yes definately, but only once I was around sixteen or so. Definately magazines and telly.

6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
To help others and learn.

7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group? (connection with other sufferers, possible new treatments, help other people through sharing experiences, etc.)
Connection with other sufferers, sharing, learning, reaching out, educating.

8.) your country? (for demographics purposes, to see if Americans have more cases of illness as opposed to other countries.)
Australia. This survey has more accurate results online if you search

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like to add about body image or illnesses?
I wish it wasn't so important to myself and so many others

10.) what would you like more information about, relating to dysmorphics, depression, and body image? ( suggestions will be taken into account and further study done on those subjects that our members feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)
Definately depression and overeating. Tips on how to stop when full. What problems others in community has, etc.



=Princesinha

1.) your age?
19

2.) your type of body issue/illness?
(depression/ body image,cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
humm... I don't know how to answer to this one... I'm fatty and sometimes I don't feel weel with it, when I try to use some fashin clthes I can't and I can't walk for long time because I start to feel my knees hurting and also my back

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
God, writing,
don't think so

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in
treating your illness?
Some psychiatrist help he helped me love me a little bit more


6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
it seems as though everyone really cares about each other.
because it just called me in a strong way

7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group?
help others

8.) your country?
Portugal

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like
to add about body image or illnesses?
I'm not a top model but, I learnt living with it and I can be happy just as I am

10.) what would you like more information about, relating to
dysmorphics, depression, and body image?
( suggestions will be taken
into account and further study done on those subjects that our members
feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)
Maybe you can put, once a month, a diferent kind of illness described on the journal





=RockstarVanity

1.) your age?
25

2.) your type of body issue/illness?
(depression/ body image,cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
I've suffered from depression and 'eating disorder not otherwise specified' (I switched between periods of anorexia and bulimia, and slimming pill addiction) for about 10-15 years. I used to cut myself...I haven't done it in a few months now, and I think I've got a handle on it.

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
I've been through a LOT of therapy in the past, and it made me realise that it was actually easier to deal with shit myself than have to explain it all in great detail to someone who had no actual experience of what I was talking about and was just trying to diagnose my whole personality and identity as a 'disorder'. I've been given just about every anti-depressant on the market, and most of them made me worse. I'm currently on Sertraline (Zoloft) as an anti-depressant and anti-obsessional.

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in
treating your illness?
The medical profession developing some listening skills would be nice!

5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how?
Weirdly no! I recognise that the way I see myself is nothing like the way that other people see me, and my problems with my appearance and other stuff in general is actually a very internal thing. Even when I can accept that other people don't like I look like shit, I still can't see myself as looking good.


6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
I can't even remember how I found the club now! I joined because I wanted to share my art with some people who would have an understanding of where the emotions behind it came from.


7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group?
Just to share my work and see other people's, to feel connected, because so much of mental illness is about feeling totally alone.

8.) your country?
Scotland.

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like
to add about body image or illnesses?
So many people who've never been through this think that recovering from it is just a decision you have to make, like "I'll be ok". That is such a load of bullshit, because while you can choose to take steps to recovering from an illness, you can just MAKE it go away.

10.) what would you like more information about, relating to
dysmorphics, depression, and body image?
( suggestions will be taken
into account and further study done on those subjects that our members
feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)
I'm alright for info...I like reading about other people's experiences though.





=Arcticlightning

2.) your type of body issue/illness?
(depression/ body image,cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
Depression, Body image, Cutting, Bulimia

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
No treatment I told my counsellor about my cutting but thats it, she hasnt done anything yet, because I wont show her when she wants me to.

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in
treating your illness?
People not telling me to get over it, too cheer up, snap out of it, dont look so depressed, (NOT saying those types of comments)

5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how?
No, I dont think so, I've just always been skinny.

6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
Because I know what its like, maybe too deter some people from starting and to be a listening ear when they need it

7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group?
Helping others.

8.) your country?
New Zealand

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like
to add about body image or illnesses?
..it doesn't mean that the sufferer is Crazy!





=shadowed-angel

1.) your age?
16

2.) your type of body issue/illness?
(depression/ body image,cutting/self abuse, anorexia, bulemia, etc.)
Depression, although that seems to be clearing up a bit. Cutting, burning occasionally, negative body image, obsession of losing weight...although I haven't really done anything about it much

3.) type of treatment you recieved/are recieving, if any?
Um, just art. Creating, music and the love of my fiancé

4.) suggestions on what has helped you, or you feel might be helpful in
treating your illness?
Not sure if I get the question...But support and understanding from people around me, knowing that the help is there. Love mainly.


5.) has the media in any way shaped your illness? if so, how?
I would say it has in a way. You see all those beautiful figures and they look so flawless (although I know how they make them look that way in magazines and could create that myself). I just feel so
inadequate. That and the people at school, always talking and bitching...etc

6.) why did you join dysmorphics?
To try and stop myself from getting too obsessed and from becoming bulimic or anorexic or something like that. It's a very hard thing to prevent, it's always on the edge of my mind. So I came here before I let myself give into that. The people seem wonderful here, so I thought that might help me. And I would also get an insight about how eating disorders affect people, rather than reading generic notes online, I can read about personal experiances and therefore learn more about it.


7.) what do you hope to accomplish, if anything, within the group?
Giving support to others, connecting, spreadin' the

8.) your country?
Australia. (or Austramerica as I call it ¬.¬)

9.) sharing your opinions and your experiences; anything you would like
to add about body image or illnesses?
Sometimes I would just feel so horrible about my body shape, even though I knew it was irrational, that I skip meals and often get the urge to make myself throw up (again). sometimes that drags me down to the point where I need pain, and I cut. I feel that all negative things that are directed at me are my fault, even if it's just someone in a bad mood or being sarcastic, so that lowers my self confidence.
I don't think that made much sense o.O

10.) what would you like more information about, relating to
dysmorphics, depression, and body image?
( suggestions will be taken
into account and further study done on those subjects that our members
feel we haven't sufficiently covered.)
I think I'd like more info about the why's and how people feel/ think when going through depression or a negative body image. Learning about peoples experiances and feelings can teach a person more than any notes some scientist can through together.